Serena felt drained. She was shaking. She hadn't consciously done that. It had just happened.

Help me, Serena. We must banish him. You have the power now; your rage has brought it into you. Take my hands-otherwise the power will be too strong for you.

She must hold the hands of the mother who had hated her. She looked to Drake, fear in her heart. He had known this pain-his mother had wanted to kill him, and he had found the courage to survive. He was struggling to get up, his hand on his back. Groaning and in great pain, she guessed, but alive!

She reached out, slipped her hands into Lady Draycott's-into Eve's-and closed her eyes as power surged through her veins.

Say this word with me, Eve urged. Paradise.

Lukos charged forward and Serena's vision became his; suddenly she saw the world from his view, as though she were inside his head, looking through his eyes. She saw herself and her mother, their hair whipping in the wind. She saw their clasped hands and the white glow that surrounded their fingers.

Desperately she chanted the word in her head. Paradise. Paradise. Paradise.

Open your eyes, Serena!

A green glow seemed to come from her mother's eyes. It engulfed them and radiated out like ripples on still water.

Serena...no...you are mine! Serena! Lukos's last plea flooded her mind, but the green light flowed around Lukos like fog, silencing his voice. He punched at it, twisting and writhing within its grip. It swirled around him like a maelstrom, while he gave one last desperate scream.

Then, in a wink, the lights vanished, leaving her blinded as though a hundred candles had flared, then extinguished at once.

Drake! Jonathon!

"No. d.a.m.n you, Eve." A man charged out from behind a stone. A man with a crossbow. "You were to give her to me!" he shouted.

Ashcroft. Dear heaven, it was Ashcroft.

Serena watched, stunned, horrified, as Jonathon lunged at Ashcroft. Jerking wildly around, Ashcroft pointed the weapon at Jonathon's chest. "Sommersby! You betrayed me!"

No!

She jumped, springing across the ground like a lion, but she hit something-a force struck her and if felt as if she had smashed into a wall. Her chest seemed to crumple, as though a weight crushed it, as though her ribs had been broken like kindling. The fire came after, a fierce burning through her chest. Her heart exploded-the pain seared her.

She fell to the ground like a sack of stones. Blackness roared around her, swallowing her whole.

Serena! Jonathon ran forward. The bolt had ripped through her chest and sent her plunging to the ground. Ashcroft held a sword above his head as he raced toward Serena's fallen body. Decapitation. Sever the head from the body. The vampire would never rise.

No! Jonathon leapt, knowing he didn't have enough time- Magic! He lifted his hand, praying he possessed enough power. Scorching fire raced down his arm, and a miraculous circle of red fire grew in the palm of his hand. It streaked forward and hit Ashcroft's arm. The sword tumbled backward, and Ashcroft howled in pain.

Before he could fire again, Jonathon saw a bolt of white light streak toward Ashcroft-it struck him directly in the torso and exploded in concentric circles. Pure white, the light hit Jonathon's eyes, and the pain screeched back into his skull. It blinded him and knocked him back-he stumbled and fell onto the ground. His hip hit, his shoulder bounced, and agony shot through his body.

A scream burst from the center of the light, unearthly and high pitched. A shriek of agony. h.e.l.l, was that Ashcroft? A sound rose, as though the air were thick with bees, and the drone shut out the screams.

As Jonathon blinked and could begin to see, the sound stopped, and the light sucked in on itself, like a vortex, until it became a pinpoint. Then it vanished on a breath of wind.

Ashcroft was gone.

Jonathon forced himself to his feet and staggered to Serena's fallen body just as Drake reached her. Jonathon's breath rushed from his chest, and he sank to his knees at Serena's side. Ashcroft's shot had been perfect, piercing her below the left breast. It must have destroyed the heart.

"A crossbow bolt cannot destroy her," Eve said. "I who was fashioned from earth, piece by piece, know that. What is a wound but that which can be healed?"

Serena's mother pushed him aside, and Jonathon fell back to let her kneel by her daughter's wounded chest. Eve lifted a slim velvet rope from around her neck and opened the small pouch that dangled from it. "This is the soil of paradise. That from which life was created."

The pale hands rolled the dirt into a ball. It smelled of richness and earth. Jonathon's nostrils flared, and his body drew in the scent. Warmth rushed through him. Instinct begged him to touch the sacred earth that brought life- Jonathon fought that urge, and he leaned forward. All he wanted to do was protect Serena, and G.o.dd.a.m.n, he didn't trust Eve. She had rejected Serena, why help her daughter now?

But he had to let Eve work. They couldn't waste precious seconds.

Eve pulled the crossbow bolt free, and Serena did not move. Fear and pain lanced his heart. His gaze wavered. Was it too late-?

Have faith.

He heard the word in Eve's lovely, enthralling tones. Could he have faith?

He glanced to where Ashcroft had been, but the blackguard had vanished completely. Ashcroft had paid the ultimate price, for what purpose? To destroy a woman he simply did not understand?

Eve pressed the ball of dirt into Serena's wound from the front, and Jonathon flinched. Dirt packed into a bleeding chest wound?

"And thus the dirt becomes a new heart," Eve whispered. "It beats with strength, and it allows life to endure. Life-the miracle, and the most precious gift. Life-the cross we bear to know the sweetest pleasure."

Eve bowed and held her hands together in front of her, as though praying. Uncertain, heart pounding, Jonathon did the same. From the corner of his eye, he saw Drake dip his head.

Eve dropped her hands. "Now you both must touch her, for it is love that gives the miracle. Life springs from love and pleasure. You-" Eve pointed at him, then pointed to Drake. "And you have given her both. You must touch the dirt and give it the power to become the heart."

Eve paused. "But-"

"But what?" Drake snapped at Eve, eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"You must love her absolutely and completely. It is the power and depth of your love that will save her."

Drake's hand already rested on the cool earth pushed into Serena's chest. Serena's face bore no expression, not even the contentment of sleep. Her lips were a simple line, her eyes shut, her lovely features relaxed.

Save her, Eve urged, so that she may rule at my side. Rule as a queen of vampires.

Jonathon placed his hand on top of Drake's, the man who had been his partner, who had made him vampire, whom he had trusted with his life. Could the power of a love shared between three save Serena's life? He prayed it could.

Was he saving her to lose her to Eve? Who would Serena choose? He and Drake, or the mother she had always longed to have.

He bent to her cheek and kissed her. I love you, Serena.

Chapter Twenty-Seven.

Between Three Drake touched Serena's face, kept his hand pressed to her heart. I love you. His chest felt it as though it were trapped under stone, as if he were buried alive. Was love powerful enough? He'd never believed in love before finding Serena.

I love you.

h.e.l.l, was his love powerful enough? Was he worthy to save the life of the woman he adored? He had lost one woman and he had lost his child. He would give anything for Serena-if he had a soul he would gladly give it away to save her life.

His knees sinking in the gra.s.s and dirt, Drake bent to Serena's lips, as though he could revive her with a kiss-and he collided with Jonathon's head. b.u.g.g.e.r you, Sommersby, he snarled, his possessiveness rising, but he moved back and let Jonathon kiss her first. A love shared between three...he had to accept it to save her.

Jonathon brushed a soft kiss to Serena's lips. Stunned, Drake saw a faint glimmer of a tear shining in the other man's eyes. He had seen hollow emptiness in Sommersby's eyes before-the night he had lost his fiancee, Lilianne, to a vampire-but Sommersby had not shed a tear that night. Not even after he had been forced to stake her. In that moment, Drake saw the depth of Jonathon's love for Serena.

Drake's own eyes burned. He fought not to cry as Jonathon sat back and gave him his chance to gently kiss Serena's soft, warm, motionless lips. Men-Christ Jesus, especially vampire males- should not give in to maudlin emotion.

He nuzzled the warm skin of her neck, inhaling sweetness. He'd lost his soul, but that was nothing compared to the heartbreak of fearing he'd lost her- Drake? Jonathon?

Drake jerked up and gazed at Serena as she blinked her eyes open. Her brows dipped as she looked up at him. You're safe. Thank heavens! And Jonathon-?

Safe also, my love. Ashcroft is gone. On her opposite side, Jonathon took her hand in his. We saved her life together, Swift. We are committing to loving her together.

h.e.l.l. Drake glanced back to Serena, to smile at her beautiful eyes; then he faced the man he'd once envied for being a gentleman. I'm willing.

As am I, Jonathon answered.

Lift her. Drake fought the pain in his heart as he asked Jonathon to do what he wanted to do- pick up Serena and hold her to his heart. He had to prove he could share her.

Jonathon scooped Serena into his arms. Her torn pelisse and gown gaped open at her chest. There was no wound anymore, no sign of dirt, just healthy, soft pink skin. Her breast was exposed, soft and plump, the nipple puckered.

a.s.sured Serena was safe, Drake spun to face her mother. He would cut the woman down before he would allow her to take Serena from him- He stopped, hands raised. No, he wouldn't. It would hurt Serena too deeply. He would do what Serena wished, because he loved her so much.

But as he confronted the beautiful vampiress who looked so much like Serena, Drake reeled back in astonishment.

A tear raced down Eve's cheek-legend had it that vampire queens had no emotions at all-but Eve glowed with love as she smiled at her daughter, still nestled in Jonathon's arms.

"You have love, my daughter," she murmured. "Something I have never known. These men have proved their worth. I wanted you to help me, to help me deliver vengeance upon men, but I cannot demand that of you when you have known true love. I do not have the power to take you from such a strong bond. Your magic will be stronger than mine, with strength born of love."

"What do you mean?" Serena asked from against Jonathon's big chest. The sound of her voice, growing stronger, sent warmth and hope and joy through Drake. But deep hurt showed in Serena's eyes. "You wanted me only for my power? To use me for vengeance? And what of Ashcroft, were you going to give me to him?"

Eve shook her head, defiance in her silvery gaze. "A lie believed by an arrogant man. He wanted immortality."

"You killed him."

"Oh no, Serena. I have given him immortality-in banishment. A man should be careful what he wishes for."

But Eve, to Drake's surprise, hung her head in humility. "I made a mistake, Serena," she said. "A mistake when you were born. I wanted only to be free of you. You, of course, can never forgive me. Let me embrace you. Let me help you welcome the rest of your power."

Jonathon lowered Serena to her feet, kept his arm around her. Drake moved to her side.

"Trust me," Eve urged.

Serena nodded, but Drake held her hand as Eve came to her, as Eve embraced her and chanted mystical words. "Retreat, gentlemen," she commanded. Drake refused, as did Jonathon, until the golden glow surrounding the women forced them to. The huge, monolithic stones shook; the ground undulated. The trees around them whipped, and birds screeched as they flew to the sky. Drake gripped the stone beside him and hung on for his life. He saw Jonathon plastered against another, hanging on. Would the earth open and swallow them both up?

The forces stopped so suddenly Drake clung to stone to avoid falling. Eve released Serena. "You have embraced your power, daughter. I will leave you now-"

"Mother, no." Impulsively, Serena reached out. "Stay. I can understand the fear of having a child-I have experienced it. I don't...I don't want to lose you again."

Drake was touched to his heart by Serena's capacity to forgive and to love.

Eve stepped back, into the shadows cast by the standing stones. "I must leave, Serena. Dawn is coming, and there is one more task your men must complete to ensure you heal completely. They must make love to you tonight. For the mystical power of s.e.x will mend you. I will come to you again-in time. You will need to learn to control your power; you will be summoned to take lessons from me and the other vampiresses. They have bid me to help you...and I thank them for allowing us to be together."

Drake's heart ached as he saw Serena's mother smile lovingly at her daughter. I thought you would hate me, she admitted.

Gently, Serena shook her head, and Eve embraced her once more. "You, my child, are unique amongst vampires. That is why Lukos desired you-for you were born of the first union of angel and vampire." She released Serena and stepped back.

"Angel and vampire! Wait!" Serena cried.

But Eve vanished.

Drake slid her arm around Serena's waist, and Jonathon let him have his turn to hold her close.

"I don't understand," she murmured. "I was fathered by an angel. I cannot believe it."

"I've always known you are an angel, little lark," Drake said.

Large, luminous, Serena's eyes met his. Drake's heart soared as she reached for his hand. She also slipped her hand into Jonathon's. "Now, shouldn't we make love?"

Above her, the moon winked from behind a blue wisp of cloud and Serena winked back as she lay back on the altar stone. Jonathon and Drake's greatcoats provided comfort from the hard, smooth stone. How did one pose to look like a most willing sacrifice for exotic s.e.xual rites?

Wantonly, she parted her legs, hitching up her skirt. Then she laughed. She was a true vampiress now, capable of the most amazing feats. She was free of Lukos, safe from Ashcroft, and she now had a mother.

Serena shut her eyes. She thought of the night sky, rich and black. She thought of air, of soaring, of wings open wide to embrace the wind- Drake. Jonathon. She saw them both. Saw them change, and then return to human form, naked and beautiful beneath the moonlight. In the blink of her eye, she joined them and her clothes fell to the ground. One instant she was a bat, spreading her wings in the fresh, cool midnight air, the next she reclined on the altar, determined to spread her wings in another way.

She let her hands cover her nether curls and her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, and suggested shyly, I know that both of you men care deeply for each other. And I know you l.u.s.t for each other-vampires do.

Jonathon immediately reddened, but his c.o.c.k betrayed him-it jolted upward, his juices glistening on the tip.

Drake's grin widened. He stood in an intimidating stance, legs spread, erection pointing at the night sky. What are you suggesting, my love?

"I want you to play together. To pleasure each other," Serena whispered. "No pleasure should be barred to us."

"You won't be hurt?" Jonathon asked.

She smiled at his frown. "I want this. It would be...erotic." Though it was also humorous to watch the men awkwardly face each other. Their hands collided, and they parried around each other like clumsy dance partners. But, bathed in moonlight, their bodies sculpted into planes of blue-silver and dark shadow, they were beautiful. Then Drake planted a hot, sensuous kiss on Jonathon's wide, hard mouth, their c.o.c.ks b.u.mped, and Serena was lost. Lost in erotic need.

Their p.r.i.c.ks rubbed together, each dampening the other. They drew apart from the kiss, linked by a silver trail of saliva between their mouths and a glistening bridge of juice between their c.o.c.ks.

Serena slid her fingers to her aching cunny, down through her wet curls. The men stroked each other, Drake's hands coasting down Jonathon's hard stomach and Jonathon caressing the silvery curls on Drake's chest. Serena tweaked her c.l.i.t as four male hands grappled with two p.r.i.c.ks and four dangling b.a.l.l.s. When they joined for another kiss, they ground their c.o.c.ks together, merging pale curls with dark.

And then, like true men, they wrestled. Drake began, trying to force Jonathon to turn. Drake wanted Jonathon's a.r.s.e. A river of juice soaked Serena's hand as she played with her cunny- mesmerized. But Jonathon rebelled, fought back, and both men tumbled to the ground. They snapped with fangs, jerked c.o.c.ks-their own, each other's-and clutched each other's a.r.s.e. They panted and grunted but didn't speak.

She perched on the edge of the altar, pinching her left nipple and languorously rubbing her c.l.i.t. How she ached to come...but she wanted to last...to build her pleasure.

Jonathon flipped Drake onto his back, the slimmer man landing heavily into the dirt, arms wide and legs spread. Leaping on top, Jonathon ruthlessly thrust his c.o.c.k at Drake's closed mouth. His own mouth wide, he lunged to Drake's rod.